Li'l Red Wagon

After ordering our P5 at the end of September and getting many excuses for delays, it looks like we will get ours at the end of February.

Is there a break-in time on P5s? You know, when you shouldn't drive over 55 mph or slam on the brakes too hard.

If there is a break-in time, how long is it?

We want to take ours on vacation to New Orleans in late March, but don't want any surprises on the trip.

Mxyzptlk

Go through the manual it has a section about the dos and donts on break ins. Says not necessary.

Maxx Mazda

The break in period for my P5 was stated in the manual as 1000Km. Not sure what that is in miles, but all it said was to go easy on the car for the first 1000K. What you might want to do around 750Km or so is this: (My Dad did it on his 2000 Vette, and it's paying off.) Take the car out on a long, straight road where you can get her up to speed. If you have a manual tranny, shift up gently from first, into 3rd. Now, this sounds crazy, but I'll explain in a sec. Floor the gas, and bring the engine up to about 6500 RPM. Then, simply just jump off the gas. The car should jerk a little, but this is good. Whilst keeping it in gear, let the car slow to about 2000RPM, and do it again. Repeat this process about 5 times.

If you have an automatic, it is the same procedure, but don't let your car shift into O/D. (Use the O/D Off button on the shift lever.)

Now, on to the explanation. You're all probably wondering why I'm telling you to take a car, still in the break in period, and redline the engine, then suddenly jump off the gas and let the car slow. The answer is simple. Many people take it easy on their cars during break in (and so you should) but sometimes they take it too easy, so as to not fully "seat" all the parts. What the above action does, is seat the piston rings. By revving the engine high, you create alot of air flowing into and out of the engine. By jumping off the gas, you create back pressure, that will (for a second) act in opposition to the forces normally seen by the engine components. (As a result, the jerking that is experienced.) By seating the piston rings properly, you ensure better compression in the future. I know I'm going to get some argument from this, but I just thought how I'd share my break-in experience for others to try.

Comments and questions are certainly welcome.

don668

although this question will open quite the discussion again, I agree with Maxx. I've always broke in cars by driving them as I normally would which means taking it to redline.
A friend who builds racing motors explained to me how connecting rods can stretch @ high RPM's. While breaking in a car if you only rev it to say 4000rpm, you may put a seat ridge at that point. If you rev past that at a later time, you can cause ring damage by passing that ridge.

Maxx Mazda

Don668,

Where abouts in Calgary do you live? I'm just outside the northwest in Bearspaw. Maybe we should hook up sometime for coffee?

You can Email me here if you'd like.

Nick

P5er

the first and most critical break-in period is until about 1000 miles and from there on you can slowly put more presure on the engine.
I think it may take as long as 5K-10K miles (depends on your driving style and enviroment) to fully break-in that engine.
Brakes are O.K. after 600 miles.

Sir Nuke

I too generally agree with all that has been said here.....you will find as many differning opinions on what is BEST to do as you will the different styles of wheels on the market.....I think we will all agree that there is a critical time that is from about 600 to 1000 of the first miles that you need to somewhat baby your ride...let it loosen up a little.....then after that.....treat it the same as you would any other ride you have.....otherwise you will build up limiting ridges in the cylinders and that sort of thing. the actual technique that people use widely differs...from doing as Maxx Mazda and his Dad do....to just getting out there and driving your NORMAL style. I all my years of hotrodding cars, I have NEVER read of, seen, or heard of any actual R&D work done to justify or document any specific break in techniques...its mostly the BUTT DYNO that has done these "tests" and adobted these techniques....and the BOTTOM line....is if it works for you, go for it.

As some of you may know...I have two P-5's....one for my wife and one for me....everytime I get into my wifes....she tells me that I am "man handling it"....cause I push it more than she does.....my driving style is more aggressive....little does she know I am doing her a favor....and driving the car like it was ment to be driven.

there....My Two cents worth.

SpaR/Ticus

Bah, no time needed ;-). My favorite story is from an aftermarket part producer for Neons and Mopars in general. He bought a PT cruiser about a year and a half ago, and got it with 2 miles on the odo. By three miles he had done a huge burnout, and by 5 miles it had topped 110 mph. Best way to break it in ;-)

don668

Hi Nick,

Sorry for being late...forum down. I live in McKenzie town. Coffee would be good someday. I'll mail you.

Don